The ACCESSIBLEPARKING AREA is marked with signs and is located in the Parking Lot on the East side of the building.

RAMP ACCESSIBILITY is located at the East entrance near the ACCESSIBLE PARKING area.

ELEVATOR ACCESS to the upper, middle and lower levels of the church is located at the Andrew Street entrance.

HEARING AIDS are available through the Ushers and the Sound System operator.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WAY THAT WE CAN TRY TO MAKE OUR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE FOR YOU!

​Exeter United ChurchAccessibility Standards for Customer ServicePolicy StatementApproved by the Church Board on November 23, 2011

This policy contains statements that meet the requirements of the Customer Service Standard and otheritems that are good practices, and will be revised as other standards are introduced under the Accessibilityfor Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. This policy seeks to achieve service excellence to participants withdisabilities. Questions about the policy or its purpose should be directed to the Church Board.

1 Our MissionWe choose to come together: to live by the example of Jesus Christ as led by the holy Spirit;to care for self, one another, our community and our world;to share our talents, resources, and enthusiasm.

2 Our CommitmentIn fulfilling our mission, Exeter United Church is committed to include people with disabilities as full and activeparticipants. We will strive to remove barriers and negative attitudes that exclude people with disabilities fromfull and active participation. All people are encouraged to practice their faith and use their gifts in worship,service, study and leadership.

3 Providing Programs, Goods and Services to People with DisabilitiesExeter United Church is committed to excellence in serving all participants, including people with disabilities.We will carry out our functions and responsibilities in worship, Christian education, social events and volunteeropportunities in the following ways:

3.1 Communication< We will strive to communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account theirdisability.< We will strive to provide publications in formats that are accessible for people with disabilities (e.g.large-print bulletins).< We will offer training to staff and volunteers on how to interact and communicate with people withvarious types of disabilities.

3.2 Telephone Services< We will train office staff and volunteers to communicate with participants over the telephone in clearand plain language and to speak clearly and slowly.< We will offer to communicate with participants by email or personal contact if telephonecommunication is not suitable to their communication needs or is not available.

3.4 Assistive Devices< Exeter United Church has a lift with access to all levels of the building.< We provide assistive hearing devices for accessing worship and other applicable programs in thesanctuary. Ushers and other volunteers are trained on how to use these assistive hearing devices.< We will ensure that people are permitted to use their own personal assistive devices to access thesanctuary for worship and other applicable programs, goods and services.< We will familiarize staff and volunteers with the various assistive devices that may be used byparticipants with disabilities while accessing our programs, goods and services.

4 Accessibility CommitteeWe are committed to establishing an Accessibility Committee to oversee all issues relating to accessibility inconsultation with the Board. The committee membership will comprise champions of accessibility for peoplewith disabilities. The Accessibility Committee will have several roles:< The committee will administer policies on providing accessible programs, goods and services to participantswith disabilities that are in compliance with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, OntarioRegulation 429/07.< The committee will monitor our programs, goods and services to ensure that practices and procedures areconsistent with our governing policies.< The committee will coordinate accessibility training and training materials for all staff and relevantvolunteers.< The committee will be responsible for updating feedback procedures, reviewing feedback on accessibilityand responding to any complaints or concerns.

5 Use of Service Animals and Support Persons< We are committed to welcoming people who are accompanied by a service animal on parts of our premisesthat are open to the public and other third parties.< We are committed to welcoming people who are accompanied by a support person.< Fees will not be charged for support persons accompanying a participant to social events.

6 Notice of Temporary DisruptionExeter United Church will strive to provide participants with notice in the event of a planned or unexpecteddisruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include informationabout the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities orservices, if available. The notice will be delivered to participants by means of telephone or email.

7 Feedback ProcessThe ultimate goal of Exeter United Church is to meet and surpass expectations while serving participants withdisabilities. Comments on our programs, goods and services regarding how well those expectations are beingmet are welcome and appreciated.< Feedback regarding the way Exeter United Church provides programs, goods and services to people withdisabilities can be made by email, verbally, or feedback card.< All feedback will be directed to the Accessibility Committee.< Participants can expect to hear back in five days.< Confidentiality will be respected.< Complaints will be addressed according to the procedures outlined by the Accessibility Committee.Complaint procedures will be documented by the Accessibility Officer and responded to.​Modifications to this PolicyWe are committed to developing an accessibility policy that respects and promotes the dignity andindependence of people with disabilities. The policy will be reviewed annually and if modified will be done soconsistent with this commitment.